Many airlines have switched to self-service check-in kiosks, especially for US domestic flights. If you've never used a self-service check-in kiosk before, here's what to do the next time you go to the airport.
Look for Kiosks
When you reach the head of your airline’s check-in line, you’ll see a row of kiosks, which look like free-standing computer screens, instead of a customer service representative. Your airline will have an employee available to print out your baggage tags and place your bags on the conveyor belt, but you’ll need to use a kiosk to check in for your flight first.
Identify Yourself
Walk up to an open kiosk, bringing your luggage with you. The kiosk will prompt you to identify yourself, either by inserting a credit card (don’t worry, it won’t be charged), typing in your flight confirmation code or entering your frequent flyer number. You won’t see a keyboard; enter your identifying information using the “keyboard” shown on the touch screen.
continue reading below our video
Long-Haul Flight Survival Tips
You’ll be able to touch a “clear” or “backspace” key if you make a mistake.
If you have already checked in for your flight online, you will probably be able to scan your printed boarding pass at the kiosk. When you scan your boarding pass, the kiosk will identify you and begin the luggage check-in process.
Confirm Flight Information
You should now see a screen which shows your name and air travel itinerary. You will probably be asked to confirm your flight information by touching an “OK” or “enter” button on the screen.
Choose or Confirm Your Seats
You will be able to review and change your seat assignment during the check-in process. Be careful; some airlines have their seat assignment screen default to a page which will entice you to pay extra to upgrade your seat. If you’ve swiped a credit card to identify yourself, be sure to skip the seat upgrade option unless you really intend to use it, as the kiosk already has your credit card information.
Indicate Whether You Will Be Checking a Bag
Next, you will be asked about checked baggage. You may be able to enter the number of bags you want to check, but some touch screens use an up- or down- arrow system or a “+” and “-“ key instead. In that case, you will touch the up arrow or plus sign to increase the total number of bags on the screen. You will need to press “OK” or “enter” to confirm the number of bags you’re checking and verify that you plan to pay the fees for each bag.
Print and Collect Your Boarding Passes
At this point, the kiosk should begin to print your boarding pass (or passes, if you have a connecting flight). The customer service representative will walk over to your kiosk and ask whether you are traveling to your destination city. Identify yourself and place your bags on the scale. The customer service representative will check your ID, tag your bags and put them onto the conveyor belt. He or she will clip your luggage claim tags into a folder and either hand you the folder or ask you for your boarding pass, which will also go inside the folder. The customer service representative will probably tell you what gate to go to, but you can also find this information on your boarding pass. Head over to the security gate – you’re all checked in.
Tip: If your bags are heavy, consider using curbside check-in. You will still need to pay the regular checked bag fee for each piece of luggage, and you’ll have to tip the skycap, but you won’t have to haul your bags yourself. At some airports, curbside check-in is located several yards away from the doorway that leads to your airline’s check-in counter.